OV’s Alan Urban Is Passionate About Saving SS United States From Scrap

by Amanda York

Staff Writer

OVHS senior Alan Urban is shown above with his seven and a half foot long model of the SS United States, a ship which is currently in danger of being scrapped. Alan is on a mission, along with the SS United States Conservancy, to make sure that doesn’t happen. He is also holding a book about the ship and the detailed plans he drew up that the model was built from. (Staff Photo)
Just a few moments in the presence of Owen Valley High School student Alan Urban and you know you are in the midst of a very passionate and very driven young man.

His cause, the saving of the SS United States from the scrap heap, is one that’s dear to his heart.

The building of the 1,000-foot superliner, he said, was begun in Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in 1950 by William Francis Gibbs. It was to have a dual role as both an ocean liner and a naval troop carrier. Although built to military standards as far as strength, the ship contained a fair amount of aluminum where strength was not necessarily needed. This drop in weight, combined with a high horsepower powerplant and a unique design, provided the means for the SS United States to break records, which it did. Its maiden voyage was on July 3, 1952 as the ship headed to the coast of Europe and broke the record held by the Queen Mary in a time of three days, 10 hours and 10 minutes. On the ship’s return voyage, it made history once again, pulling into port in three days, 10 hours and 10 minutes. The SS United States still holds this record today.

This up-close photo of the Patriot Expo project completed by Alan Urban shows the detail to which the OVHS senior went. By studying photo after photo, he was able to recreate this ship he cares so much about. (Staff Photo)
During its glory years, the SS United States, otherwise know as “the big ship,” “the states” or “the big U,” was used for American tourists who wished to travel to Europe. It could, however, be converted into a troop carrier in as little as 48 hours and had the capability of carrying 14,000 troops over 10,000 nautical miles without refueling.

The emergence of the jet airplane was what led to the eventual demise of the SS United States as people were able to reach Europe in a matter of hours, instead of days. In November of 1969, the ship made her last official voyage, and was taken out of commission.

The ship sat idol from 1969 until 1978 when it was sold by the military and then traded hands several times before being towed to Europe where its asbestos was removed. A business out of Philadelphia helped to get the once mighty ship back to U.S. waters in July 1996 where it has remained. Norwegian Cruise Line purchased it April 4, 2003 with plans to refit her and turn her into a cruise ship. However, many problems and high costs arose, and that plan was halted. The company is currently in the process of collecting bids from scrapping companies.

That is where Alan Urban and his project, along with thousands of other fans across the country, come into play. Donations are being sought to help save this vessel with the hopes of turning it into a floating museum. Urban will be a part of the live event to be held at OVHS this coming Saturday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the back entrance to the school. The event, entitled “The Groovy Sixties,” will feature a complete ‘60s experience with live music, food, movies, fashion, art and children’s activities. Although the SS United States was built in the 1950s, it’s heyday was during the early 1960s and therefore Alan will be taking this opportunity to help raise awareness for the ship-saving cause.

And Alan knows a thing or two about this record-holder as it was his Patriot Expo project for his senior year at OVHS. By his own admission, he compiled over 500 man-hours working on the project and the model he put together for it.

So whether you have a love of ships, or just a desire to help out a young man behind a good and noble cause, visit the OVHS Live Event this coming Saturday, learn a bit about a piece of U.S. history and maybe donate to his effort.